Seychelles recently held its first-ever freediving competition at the Roche Caiman swimming pool, marking a new milestone for underwater sports in the country. Organized by the Seychelles Diving Federation in collaboration with Freediving Seychelles, the event brought together 16 athletes, including 9 Seychellois, to compete in two categories — Static Apnea and Dynamic Apnea.
In the morning, competitors tested their breath-holding ability in the Static Apnea discipline. Martin Howson won with an impressive time of 5 minutes and 36 seconds. In the afternoon, the focus shifted to Dynamic Apnea, where divers swam underwater for distance. Sophie Perolari took first place in the women’s category with a distance of 122 meters.
Competition Results:
Men’s Category:
1st – Martin Howson
2nd – Kelian Ah-Kong
3rd – Roy Assaf
Women’s Category:
1st – Sophie Perolari
2nd – Rafaela Gameiro
3rd – Elena Shindina
The event drew strong local support and a lively crowd cheering on all participants. Sponsors including Bliss Hotel, Clef Des Iles, Lavazza Seychelles, Gran Kaz, Big Boys Toys, Dive Equipment Seychelles, and Mohock Associates played a key role in making the competition a success.
Following the positive response, the top ten athletes will now prepare for a depth competition later this year. The organizers also plan to host the Freediving Pool Championship annually, encouraging more people to discover the sport while raising awareness about marine conservation, mental well-being, and the importance of protecting the ocean.
This first competition marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for freediving in Seychelles and highlights the islands as a growing hub for underwater exploration and adventure.
To find out more, view more photos and videos from the event - or even begin your Freediving journey, visit the event page on Free Diving Seychelles.
